Lead: Helen
Ten cheery Wick Wanderers met up in Southerndown thankful for dry weather as there had been heavy rainfall overnight. From the start point in Southerndown (by the church) we walked at a fairly brisk pace past Sunshine House and along the road to Groes Farm where we took the left turn to Norton Farm. There was lots of conversation and chatting with everyone pleased to be able to walk in company again. We were struck by how the hedgerows and verges had really grown in the last few weeks and also by the abundance of wild flowers including wild honeysuckle. We turned left at Norton farm to take the footpath across to Ogmore by Sea, after a few of us had fussed the old farm sheepdog ‘Pepper’.
At the end of the footpath, we stopped to admire the fantastic view (albeit very cloudy) and Helen suggested this would be a good point for a coffee stop as we were about halfway round the circuit. As soon as drinks had been taken out of rucksacks the heavens opened – Liz decided to put on her waterproof over-trousers and in her hurry got them on the wrong way round. By the time she had removed them and got them back on the right way round (not easy over boots) she had got pretty wet! Coffee stop abandoned due to rain, we continued down the steep hill coming into Ogmore by Sea at Sutton Farm. We turned left here – taking the old main road till we joined the current main Road. Graham said he has never walked this section before – something of an achievement as there cannot be many local paths that he has not explored on bike or on foot!
We continued through Ogmore by Sea, stopping to look at the Village Hall construction and saying goodbye to Moyra who, having walked from her home to join us in Southerdown, stopped at her house.
We all halted again by West Farm and a group photo was taken as by now the rain had stopped (Moyra – sorry you missed the group photo) and then continued on the coast path to look at the blow hole at the top of the cliff and then back into Southerndown by midday. Most of the group then decided to go for a coffee at the recently opened Ffroth – behind the Three Golden Cups and cut through the campsite to get there. Sadly for Andrew – they had stopped serving BBQ breakfasts at 11am! The ‘Weigh to Go’ mobile zero waste refill shop was also there as it is every Saturday (also at the Lamb and Flag in Wick on Thursdays I think). As we ordered our coffees the heavens opened again and we were glad to shelter in the marquee at the Cups for a short while. A lovely walk despite the weather, we very much enjoyed your company and the normality of being able to walk and chat with friends.
Wick Wanderers 